IRI Releases Survey of Cuban Public Opinion

The survey was fielded on the island June 30 – July 13, 2011. A total of 572 Cuban adults were asked questions ranging from perspectives on the economy, to the performance of the current Castro government and expectations for change.

“Overall the findings of the survey suggest that while Cubans desire economic opportunity and private property ownership, they closely tie these economic changes to political change in the form of free elections, free expression, access to information and the right to dissent,” said Lorne W. Craner, President of IRI.

While international news media continue to report on promised reforms by the Cuban regime – including the highly publicized pledge to permit home sales – IRI’s survey shows that 52 percent of Cubans have yet to see any tangible examples of implemented changes.

“There are a lot of headlines here in the U.S. about changes coming to Cuba, but IRI’s survey shows that the Cuban people themselves are not necessarily seeing it so far. They remain skeptical that the Cuban government can improve their lives,” said Craner.

The survey was conducted in 14 Cuban provinces and has a margin of error of +/- four percent, and a 95 percent level of confidence. This survey was the sixth of its kind conducted by IRI on the island since 2007.